Wake boats stir controversy between recreation and preservation on Wisconsin lakes

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - They’re designed for fun, but wake boats are fueling a growing controversy on Wisconsin’s waters.

Wake boats, designed to churn out large waves for wakeboarding and wake surfing, have become a flashpoint in communities across the state. Supporters say wake boats fuel family memories that span generations, while critics warn they damage shorelines, disrupt recreation, and threaten delicate lake ecosystems.

Joe Garstecki says he saw the shift firsthand when wake boats started appearing on his lake about three years ago.

“The surface of the water turns into a washing machine,” Garstecki said. “People can’t kayak. They can’t a rowboat. They can’t paddle board, they can’t ski, they can’t do the things they normally do. That’s why I got involved… because my family was a